Notes / Commercial Description:
Using Belgian malts and American hops and yeast, LA-31 Bière Pâle is a distinct new style of beer. Traditionally brewed, we classify it as a Bière Pâle, or Louisiana Pale Ale. It is bronze colored with a biscuity malt center, herbal hop flavors and a gentle, mellow bitterness. This beer is crafted to enhance the unique cuisine and lifestyle of South Louisiana.

The beer pours a clear orange color with a white head. The aroma is grassy and spicy hops as well as straw. The flavor is grassy, spicy hops with some apple and wheat. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Not a bad beer.

Pours a clear light amber with a fluffy off-white head, very pretty. nose is lightly malty and a bit wheaty, mellow but nice.

Taste is a bit light and slightly astringent, but it's malty and slightly bitter on the finish, grassy hops and a sharp crisp mouthfeel. Nothing too complex but I think it's a decent example of the style and a beer that could get people to leave the BMC camp.

Not much nose, either. Faint mango, a bit musty, mild peanut. Could it be alcohol I'm getting most? Considering the style, either my sniffer's outta whack, or the beer is.

Flavor is pretty toasty, and there's the kind of earthy spiciness of rye. A touch of tropical fruit (mango, pineapple), but this seems more about the malt and that herbal/spicy character. Grassy in the finish. A little bit of alcohol nip seems to add to the spicy element. Kind of reminds me of Rogue's Chatoe Rogue "Ore"gasmic pale ale that I had last week.

Goes down smoothly enough, a nice balance of tingle, silkiness and airiness. Even a bit chewy, considering the style.

This is definitely a unique-tasting pale ale. Maybe a little off, or maybe they meant it to be this way. Either way, it's nothing I'll have exceptionally fond memories of once the glass is empty. Just lacks some kind of "je ne sais quois," despite being fairly unique. The fact that it's nearly empty already does speak to its drinkability...or maybe it's because it's the hottest day of the year so far?